Victim named in Cocalico fatal crash

A Denver teenager passed away as a result from a two-car crash Tuesday, Dec. 18 in East Cocalico Township, police said.

He was identified as 17-year-old Timothy Matsuk. Matsuk was pronounced dead at 7:32 p.m. Tuesday at Reading Hospital.

Two male juveniles from the Denver area, who were riding in the car with Matsuk, also were taken to the hospital, as was a 23-year-old Denver woman who was driving the other vehicle.

The accident occurred in the 300 block of Smokestown Road at 7:30 a.m.

According to police, a vehicle traveling west at an unknown speed lost control in a curve and fishtailed into the oncoming lane, striking an eastbound vehicle. The driver and front passenger of the vehicle that lost control were ejected. The driver of the other vehicle was extricated from her vehicle by Denver Rescue.

Smokestown Fire Company, Fire Police, Denver Rescue, Reinholds, Reamstown, Fivepointville and Ephrata Ambulance and Medic 4, 9 and a Berks County medic were all on the scene.

The road was closed for approximately three hours.

Matsuk, 17, was born in Ephrata to Veniamin and Svetlana (Patrushev) Matsuk.

He was a senior at Cocalico High School. He will be missed by his family and friends and he will see you in Heaven.

In addition to his parents, Timothy is survived by a brother: Samuel Matsuk; and a sister: Marina Matsuk both at home.

Services were held Dec. 22 at the Bethany Slavic Church, Ephrata, with Pastors Leonid Melnic and Slavic Mantsevich officiating. Interment took place in the Weaverland Mennonite Cemetery.